Solo Leveling has rapidly ascended to become one of the most acclaimed anime series globally within just two seasons. However, this impressive success did not materialize out of thin air. The captivating journey of Sung Jinwoo has captivated audiences, showcasing the potential of edgy anime through one of the genre’s most formidable, self-assured, and commanding protagonists.
During a recent Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Reddit, producer at Aniplex, Sota Furuhashi, revealed that the Solo Leveling anime’s inception occurred much earlier than most fans might assume. For those unfamiliar with the Solo Leveling manhwa, it may appear as though the anime series emerged unexpectedly. In reality, the manhwa enjoyed immense popularity long before the anime adaptation, with producers already eyeing this remarkable project several years prior to the debut of the first season.
The Success of Solo Leveling’s Anime Is a Result of Years of Hard Work
The Producers Have Invested Years into Developing This Anime Project
Although it may be premature to declare it definitively, Solo Leveling is shaping up to be one of the finest anime series ever produced. Much like its central character, Sung Jinwoo, the show continues to evolve and improve. The inaugural season shattered numerous records on Crunchyroll, only for the second season to surpass those achievements, demonstrating its growing popularity.
As stated in the recent AMA, Sota Furuhashi had been closely following Solo Leveling for an impressive five years before the anime’s premiere, explaining, “My journey with Solo Leveling began in 2019 when I developed an interest in Webtoon. The manhwa struck me as genuinely compelling, and I believed that adapting such a visually stunning work into an anime would result in an incredible visual experience. That’s when I kick-started the anime adaptation project at Aniplex.”
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Why Is Solo Leveling So Good? It Turns Out 1 Episode Takes “10 Months” to Make, And That’s Not All
The excellence of Solo Leveling is evident in its high production quality, a testament to the dedication and meticulous effort of the series’ production team.
The premiere of Solo Leveling took place in January 2024, with the second season following in January 2025. Furuhashi’s comments illustrate that transforming a quality manhwa into an anime is a time-intensive endeavor. This should instill hope among fans of similar series like The Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, demonstrating that a compelling manhwa or Webtoon can take the necessary time to develop and shine on-screen.
The Dedication Behind the Creation of the Solo Leveling Anime
Solo Leveling’s Production Team Has Set New Standards by Breaking Records
Solo Leveling presents a visually stunning experience throughout its 25 episodes, largely due to the immense effort that A-1 Studios has invested in adapting this beloved manhwa. In contrast, another popular Webtoon, The Beginning After the End, faced a rocky debut, leading many to believe that its anime adaptation might be doomed before it even began, with blame often directed at Studio A-Cat.
Fans of Solo Leveling were fortunate to have A-1 Studios spearheading the project. In the same Reddit discussion mentioned earlier, Atsushi Kaneko, an animation producer at A-1 Studios, highlighted the considerable effort poured into Solo Leveling, stating, “Episode 24 truly stood out for me. While most episodes typically feature around 8,000 to 10,000 frames, Episode 24 had approximately 17,000 frames, which significantly surpasses the others.”
Episode 24 showcases one of the most breathtaking battles in anime history, where Jinwoo confronts the Ant King on Jeju Island. The animation is stunning, and it is clear that only a dedicated studio like A-1 Pictures could achieve such remarkable results. This level of dedication is precisely why the Solo Leveling anime was in production for five years prior to its official launch.
Solo Leveling
- Release Date
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January 7, 2024
- Directors
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Shunsuke Nakashige
- Writers
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Noboru Kimura
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Taito Ban
Shun Mizushino (voice)
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Genta Nakamura
Kenta Morobishi (voice)
